Rarely has the combination of reader and text been put to such explosive effect as in this edition of the world's most famous instruction manual. Ian Richardson's performance as the unscrupulous Francis Urquhart in the political thriller House of Cards makes him the perfect mouthpiece for Machiavelli's equally unprincipled pronouncements on statecraft.

I take no interest in packaging and presentation but a CD case with a mug shot of Richardson on the front seems as inappropriate for this gem as wrapping up a Fabergé egg in newspaper. The book is dedicated to Lorenzo the Magnificent, whose patronage revolutionised the fortunes of the exiled Florentine courtier. Using such examples as Moses, Theseus, Darius and Alexander, the author describes with meticulous precision how, if he wants to remain in power, a ruler should govern. Much depends on the circumstances by which power is acquired. The ruler who inherits does not have the same problems as the ruler who acquires by ability, force or luck. Then there are the different styles of government. The Turks favoured a single all-powerful leader whereas the French king was surrounded by a host of noble families all with monarchic ambitions.

Chapter headings are succinct: "17th Chapter, concerning cruelty and compassion and whether it is better to be loved than feared." Machiavelli is in no doubt: "It is much safer to be feared than loved... men are ungrateful, fickle, cowardly and avaricious but as long as you are successful they are yours." Few books bring the sinister world of the Medicis, or its author's character, as vividly to life. "Above all the prince must keep his hands off the property of others because men more quickly forget the death of their father than the loss of the inheritance." This is cynicism in spades.

Another guide book, but as far removed from Machiavelli as chalk from mature Stilton. This is American agony aunt Susan Jeffers's third bestseller, the style of which can be summed up in the seven words that the author advises everyone in search of happy-ever-after love to whisper to their mate at least once a day "thank you for being in my life". Yuck!